UK Trial Begins Against Sony Over PlayStation Game Prices
Last update: March 10, 2026
Disclaimer: This website may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. We only recommend products or services that we personally use and believe will add value to our readers. Your support is appreciated!
Class action claims millions of users were overcharged on digital games.
A trial opened in London on Tuesday over a £2 billion class action lawsuit accusing Japanese entertainment giant Sony of breaching competition law by allegedly overcharging millions of UK PlayStation users.
The claimants argue that Sony excluded competition and imposed excessive charges on digital games sold through its PlayStation Store for nearly a decade.
Consumer campaigner Alex Neill, who brought the action on behalf of an estimated 12.2 million users, told reporters that Sony had abused its position by charging consumers too much.
The PlayStation Store is the official platform where gamers can buy Sony titles such as Gran Turismo and God of War, as well as blockbuster games from other studios including Call of Duty, GTA, and Assassin’s Creed.
Lawyer Robert Palmer, representing the claimants, said Sony had pursued a sustained strategy to exclude competition from digital distribution markets.
The lawsuit highlights that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is sold on the PlayStation Store for nearly £70, roughly double the price of the physical edition at UK retailer Currys. The claimants also argue that Sony charges a 30 percent commission, while PC game platforms with more competition typically charge lower fees.
In its legal submissions, Sony said the profitability of the PlayStation system is not excessive. The company argued that when accounting for the total price of the console and the game, digital content is priced similarly to other platforms and physical discs. Sony added that if prices were unfair, consumers and publishers would simply switch platforms.
Under UK law, all potentially affected users are included in the class action by default and may receive compensation unless they opt out.
Natasha Pearman, a partner at Milberg London representing the claimants, noted similar cases are being pursued in Australia, the Netherlands, and Portugal, describing the effort as part of a global strategy.
Last year, Apple lost a similar lawsuit in London over excessive commissions on its App Store and may be required to reimburse millions of users, though it has said it plans to appeal.
